Energy saving light bulbs.

[markado]

Hi MFK

I have a 120GL tank. And i am interested in using Energy saving Light Bulbs. I do have some plants inside. Will they help the plants? And around how many Watts ill need per light bulbs and how many bulbs ill need if this idea can work?

Thanks for you time

 

[FLESHY]

What do you mean..."energy saving bulbs"? Can you be more specific? Share a link or something. Many people might consider power compact to be energy saving as opposed to a HO fluorescent for example.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

I think he/she may mean bulbs like the GE brand. I think all that matters is watts, kelvin rating, and bulb type really.

 

[markado]

Am talking about this type. Means if its like 20 watt ill need like 5 of them?

 

[markado]

I realized that there are 2 watts reading which is the original and the other is higher and what it suppose to be which will i use to add up how many bulbs i need?

Thanks for your help guys!

 

[jschall]

I realized that there are 2 watts reading which is the original and the other is higher and what it suppose to be which will i use to add up how many bulbs i need?

Thanks for your help guys!

That's a CFL, compact fluorescent light. They're very inefficient compared to tubular fluorescent lights as are usually used on aquariums.

Lights are rated on power input, not power output. CFL have two numbers listed because they're marketed for residential lighting, and they're listing (often fairly inaccurately) which wattage incandescent they replace.

LEDs are the most efficient lights you can get, but they'll cost you.

I would think a dual t5-ho fixture or quad t5 fixture would be what you'd want on a 120, for most plants.

 

[markado]

That's a CFL, compact fluorescent light. They're very inefficient compared to tubular fluorescent lights as are usually used on aquariums.

Lights are rated on power input, not power output. CFL have two numbers listed because they're marketed for residential lighting, and they're listing (often fairly inaccurately) which wattage incandescent they replace.

LEDs are the most efficient lights you can get, but they'll cost you.

I would think a dual t5-ho fixture or quad t5 fixture would be what you'd want on a 120, for most plants.

I was thinking of doing my own DIY project and also an easier way to buy bulbs and also saves energy at the same time. So do you think its a waste of time and it wont work as well as buying a t5 fixture?

Thanks for your help!

 

[VNCNT]

t5ho's would be the way to go. most light output for the least energy used for the cost. make sure to use a parabolic reflector for each individual bulb to get the most efficiency. led's use even less energy, but are mucho dinero.

 

[markado]

Will these guys work for plants? I was thinking to "flood light" one will. What do you guys think?

 

[knifegill]

I use 6500k CFL's on a few of my tanks and the normal CFL's on some others. They all grow healthy amounts of algae for my fish and keep the plants happy. And the lamps are free if you dumpster dive so it made sense to me. Or check yard sales for old lizard lights. I use the lizard light housing with a CFL bulb and it really packs a punch. Seriously, I have a 100 watt "sunlight" spectrum CFL on my 125g and it looks great. The elodea loves it and is getting huge. I wouldn't try specialty plants that need pampered but they work fine for your average water weed or broad-leaved plant.

The CFL pictured above is only 4000k. You'll want a higher number between 6000 and 8000.